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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Courtesy of USA Softball) – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) is pleased to announce that USA Softball Women’s National team member Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.) was recently elected President for the Womens Sports Foundation. She is currently serving as president-elect and will begin her reign as president in 2009.

Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is a charitable educational organization dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.

“Over the years we have been very fortunate to have strong, dynamic leaders at the Women’s Sports Foundation and Jessica Mendoza is a shining example of what is really great about women’s sports and the future direction of The Foundation,” said Billie Jean King, founder of the Women’s Sports Foundation.

“Jessica is one of those special athletes who is already involved in giving back to her sport and the community while she is still active. That passion, and her ability to connect so well with current and young athletes, will help her and the programs and organizations that benefit from the Women’s Sports Foundation as we move ahead in 2009.”

Mendoza has a long history with the Women’s Sports Foundation as she has been a member of the Women's Sports Foundation Board of Trustees since 2005, served on the Finance and Legal Committee and Athlete Relations Committee as well as is a Board member of the National Education Association. She also helped kick off GoGirlGo! Programs in Chicago and San Antonio, Texas, which helps inner-city girls get active, stay healthy and learn skills such as leadership, confidence, body image and self-esteem.

“It is an incredible honor to be elected President of the Women's Sports Foundation. The Foundation has been the leader in providing opportunities for girls and women in sport through grants, research, and advocacy of women's rights (Title IX). The Women's Sports Foundation has personally been my mentor and inspired me to do more for those who have little. Whether it be a young girl in a disadvantaged area who does not even realize she loves sports because she has never been given the chance to play, or the high school basketball player who dreams of playing in college but none of the local schools even offer the sport for women. Or the young woman who wants more than anything in the world to play softball for a living, but there is no one to give her the support or the voice to make this a reality. These are the stories of girls and women that the Women's Sports Foundation makes a difference in every day.”

“I have been blessed to make it to the Olympic level of my sport, and my goal as President is to not only get more elite athletes involved in giving back, but to create even more opportunities for girls and women to play sports -- so everyone has a chance to play. “

Mendoza will serve as President-elect until she takes office in 2009.

For more information on the WSF, please log onto www.womenssportsfoundation.org